Tetraalkyl phosphonium aluminosilicates

ABSTRACT

Novel tetraalkyl phosphonium aluminosilicates can be produced by the ion exchange reaction of metal aluminosilicates with phosphonium salts. For example, layered type tetraalkyl phosphonium derivatives of clays are prepared by the reaction of sodium clays with tetraalkyl phosphonium chlorides. The novel compositions have unexpected microstructure, thermal stability, and thixotropic properties in organic liquids.

' United States Patent Oswald Dec. 30, 1975 TETRAALKYL PHOSPHONIUM 3,374,256 3/1968 Driscoll et a1. 252/431 P X ALUMINOSILICATES 3,671,190 6/1972 Neumann 260/448 C X 3,709,979 l/1973 Chu 260/448 C X [75] Inventor: Alexis A. Oswald, Mountainside,

N,J OTHER PUBLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co., Chemical Abstracts VOL 8277a (1951)- Linden, NJ. Primary Examiner-Helen M. S. Sneed [22] Filed 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn Paul Corcoran; Joseph [21] Appl. No.: 402,465 J. Allocca [52] US. Cl...... 260/448 C; 252/455 R; 252/455 Z; 260/299; 260/448.2 N [51] Int. Cl. C07F 5/06 [58] Field of Search 260/448 C, 448.2 N; 252/431 P, 455 R, 455 Z [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,531,427 11/1950 l-lauser 260/448 C 2,531,440 11/1950 Jordan 252/49.7 2,966,506 12/1960 Jordan 260/448 C 3,014,871 12/1961 Fulton et a1 260/448 C [57] ABSTRACT Novel tetraalkyl phosphonium aluminosilicates can be produced by the ion exchange reaction of metal aluminosilicates with phosphonium salts. For example, layered type tetraalkyl phosphonium derivatives of clays are prepared by the reaction of sodium clays with tetraalkyl phosphonium chlorides. The novel compositions have unexpected microstructure, thermal stability, and thixotropic properties in organic liquids.

16 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure Figure l TETRAALKYL PHOSPHONIUM ALUMINOSILICATES FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to novel quaternary onium aluminosilicates, namely, tetraalkyl phosphonium aluminosilicates, their preparation, structure and properties. More particularly, this invention relates to tetraalkyl phosphonium derivatives of clays of layered structure having a high ion exchange capacity. These phosphonium clays are related to tetraalkyl ammonium clays known in the trade as organic Bentones, but they have unexpected interlayer structures, are thermally more stable and show superior thixotropic properties in organic liquids.

PRIOR ART VERSUS THE PRESENT INVENTION The affinity between certain organic compounds and clays has been known for many years. .I. U. Lloyd reported the adsorptive capacity of Fullers earth for alkaloids in 1916 in the Journal of the American Parmaceutical Association, Volume 5, pages 381 to 390 and 490 to 495. C. R. Smith reacted organic bases and their salts with bentonite and presented evidence that the reaction involved ion exchange. (For reference see the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Volume 56, pages 156ll563, from the year 1934).

Quaternary phosphonium derivatives of water dispersible clays were mentioned in the patent literature under the term onium clays. Onium clays were claimed for various uses in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,531,396; 2,531,427; 2,531,440; 2,531,812; 2,662,987. The word onium is a cumulative term for ammonium phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium, sulfonium and selenonium. However, the above patents covering onium clays were specifically directed towards ammonium clays. Among tens of thousands of the possible phosphonium clays, only the triphenyl dodecyl phosphonium derivative was mentioned. The only reference to a quaternary tetraalkyl phosphonium clay is to dimethyl dioctadecyl phosphonium bentonite in US. Pat. No. 2,895,954. However, this reference was apparently made by accident without any knowledge of the subject matter as indicated by disclosures of the nonexistent dimethyl dioctadecyl oxonium and sulfonium bentonites in the same patent. The existence of the latter compounds would clearly violate the generally valid chemical valence rules, since oxonium and sulfonium ions have only three covalent bonds. It is clear from the disclosure that the inventor used purchased dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bentonite to gel bituminous compositions. With regard to other dimethyl dioctadecyl onium compounds" he had an apparently incorrect assumption.

Although the prior art descriptions of onium clays had no structural limitations, they were generally limited to compositions which gel hydrocarbons. For gelling, it was generally assumed that the onium moiety should contain at least ten carbon atoms in a straight chain. See US. Pat. No. 2,531,426 by E. A. Hauser. Furthermore, it was claimed that the clay should have an ion exchange capacity of at least 25 milliequivalent onium ion per 100 g.

In contrast, to the all inclusive disclosures of the patent literature very few onium clays were found useful in practice. All the commercial onium clays are quaternary ammonium derivatives. For many years,

dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bentonite was the only commercial compound in the field. For references, see J. W. Jordan and F. J Williams, Organophylic Bentonites III, Kolloid Zeitschrift, Volume 137, pages 40 to 48, 1954; J. V. Kennedy and W. T. Granquist, Flow Properties of Dispersions of an Organo Montmorillonite in Organic Media, Nat. Lub. Grease Inst. Spokesman, Volume 29, No. 5, pages 138-145, 1965. More recently, dimethyl octadecyl benzyl ammonium bentonite was introduced. These two clays were useful in gelling a large variety of liquid hydrocarbons. However, they were ineffective in highly polar nonhydrocarbons such as polyesters.

The present invention is the result of a long range study of tetraalkyl phosphonium clays which, at first glance, appear analogous to the known tetraalkyl ammonium clays. Our study showed that the novel tetraalkyl phosphonium clays have several unobvious, inherent properties. They are thermally more stable than their nitrogen analogs. They do not require the addition of polar dispersants for gelling organic liquids. They gel nonhydrocarbons just as well as hydrocarbons. Their gelling action does not depend on the presence of at least one straight alkyl chain having a minimum of 10 carbon atoms. They have a more selective interaction with liquids which is useful in various separations.

In an apparent contrast to the known quaternary tetraalkyl ammonium clays, the novel quaternary tetraalkyl phosphonium clays possess a variety of properties strongly dependent on the structure of the aliphatic substituents. In the area of ammonium clays, only the long chain alkyl and methyl substituted derivatives were synthesized. Most of these exhibited the same kind of properties. In contrast, it was found in the present invention that,.dependent on the number of long chain alkyl substituents on the phosphorus, phosphonium clays show very different properties. For example, the different interplanar distance of such layered clays indicates very different structures. Furthermore, it was found that if one is to substitute ethyl, propyl and butyl groups instead of methyl, as the low trialkyl substituents of long chain monoalkyl phosphonium clays, again different microstructures and properties result.

The present invention of novel tetraalkyl phosphonium clays, of course, would not have been possible without the advance which was made in the field of phosphonium salt clay reactants since the original patent application on ammonium clay was filled in 1946, (US. Pat. No. 2,531,427). At that time, only a handful of tetraalkyl phosphonium salts were known. Only triphenyl alkyl phosphonium salts were available. None of them were attractive for the preparation of organo-clay gellants. In the meantime, many tetraalkyl phosphonium salts became known. Nevertheless, most of the surprisingly attractive phosphonium clay gellants of the present invention are based on novel tetraalkyl phosphonium salts. The latter were synthesized during the course of concurrent work in alkyl phosphine and phosphonium salt chemistry in the broadest context of the same long range research program which led to this invention. These novel intermediates will be covered by separate applications.

In summarizing the prior art, it is pointed out that onium clays were disclosed in several patents which include all phosphonium clays ever to be made. However, there was nothing specific known about tetraalkyl phosphonium clays. In view of this and the surprising differences between tetraalkyl phosphonium clays of 3 the present application and the known tetraalkyl ammonium clays of the prior art, it is felt that the present compositions are patentably novel.

Investigations were carried out with the novel tetraalkyl phosphonium clay compositions with regard to SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Onium clays in general, possess properties which make them compatible with organic compounds. Certain tetraalkyl ammonium clays, in particular, are effective as hydrocarbon gelling agents. The usefulness of such ammonium clays stimulated this work with the aim of discovering novel onium clays.

In the present invention, new types of tetraalkyl phosphonium clays are disclosed. Their preparation from the corresponding phosphonium salts and inorganic clays is also described. These clays have unexpected structures as determined by X-ray. Furthermore, they have unexpected properties such as thermal stability and selective interaction with organic liquids and vapors. Due to these properties, they were found surp'risngly useful as thixotropic, reinforcement and separation agents.

Product Compositions The tetraalkyl phosphonium clay compositions of the present invention have four C C aliphatic hydrocarbyl or substituted aliphatic hydrocarbyl moieties attached to their phosphorus atom. The positive charge of the phosphonium cations of such compositions is balanced by negatively charged clay particles of various charge densities. These clays are modified natural or synthetic metal aluminosilicates.

As such tetraalkyl phosphonium clays can be defined by the formula [R P Clay" wherein e is the number of the negative charges on the clay particle which are neutralized by phosphonium cations. Such a number is dependent on the clay particle size and as such cannot unequivocally be determined. Consequently, the simplified formula of the phosphonium clays is [R P Clay, wherein R is C -C aliphatic hydrocarbyl or substituted aliphatic hydrocarbyl, preferably C C. alkyl or monosubstituted alkyl.

The term aliphatic hydrocarbyl" includes saturated, open chain and cyclic alkyl groups. It also includes similaf unsaturated, i.e. alkenyl and alkinyl groups. The substituents of the aliphatic hydrocarbons include all those moieties which are compatible. Such substituents can be aromatic groups such as phenyl and heteroaromatic groups, such as phenyl and their derivatives. They can be halogens, i.e. F, Cl, Br, I. They can represent oxygen or sulfur-containing groups, such as hydroxy, carbonyLc-arboalkoxy, thiol, thioether, sulfone, sulfonate. They can contain nitrogen, eg in the form of amino, cyano, nitrite, nitrate, amido groups. They can also contain organic silicon, preferably as a silane. Phosphorus-containing groups, such as phosphine oxide, phosphate, phosphite, phosphonate, phosphinate, are also included. Dependent on their character, such substituents may be either inserted into the aliphatic 4 chain as ethers or can take the place of one or more hydrogens on the aliphatic carbon chain or on an aromatic moiety, as halogens, do. Although the various aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups can be substituted for many used the unsubstituted groups are preferred.

Quaternary phosphonium groups may be covalently bound by dior polyvalent aliphatic radicals to form diphosphonium and polyphosphonium compounds. These in turn can be also converted to phosphonium clays.

Examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups include methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, tbutyl, n-dodecyl, docosyl, squalyl, triacontyl, hexatriacontyl, C alkyl derived from isobutylene oligomer; cyclopentyl, cyclododecyl; vinyl, allyl, propargyl, cyclohexenyl, methylcyclopentenyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, phenylethyl, dodecylbenzyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, phenoxybenzyl, benzothiazylthiomethyl; chloroethyl, dichloroallyl, perfluoroundecyl, bromotetradecyl, iodobenzyl; hydroxyethyl, epoxypropyl, carbomethoxyethyl, hydroquinonethiomethyl, acetylbenzyl, mercaptopropyl, hexacosylthiopropyl, aminopropyl, triacontylaminoethyl, N-morpholinoethyl, cyanoethyl, nitrobenzyl.

The preferred compositions have at least three saturated, unsubstituted alkyl groups. It is furthermore preferred that the fourth aliphatic group be alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or monosubstituted derivative thereof.

A preferred class of phosphonium clay compositions is of the following formula: [R' P R] Clay, wherein R and R are aliphatic hydrocarbyl radicals selected from the group consisting of C -C low aliphatic radicals and C C high aliphatic radicals and their substituted derivatives in such a manner that if R is low aliphatic, R" should be high aliphatic and the reverse. The high aliphatic radicals are preferably C -C alkyl groups. The low unsaturated radicals are preferably selected from C -C aliphatic radicals consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl and monosubstituted derivatives thereof, particularly monosubstituted alkyl.

The aliphatic substituents of the phosphonium groups can be independently selected. Some of the more common selections are indicated by the tabulation on pages 217 to 467 in the monograph on Organic Phosphorus Compounds, edited by G. M. Kosolapoff an L. Maier, Volume 2, Chapter 4 by P. Beck, published by J. Wiley & Sons, Inc. I972, in New York. The most common types of these selections are indicated by the formula:

[R P ]X [R P'R ]X [R P R ]Cl [R P R R ]X' R R i R=*R x RRafiv R P RRR wherein R to R have the same meaning as R; R and R are divalent aliphatic radicals, preferably alkylene, alkenylene, alkinylene and their substituted derivatives in the C to C preferably C to C range.

Examples for divalent radicals are ethylene, butenylene, butinylene, cyclohexylene, octamethylene, tetradecamethylene, triacontylene, hydroxymethylethylene, o-chloroxylylene.

The preferred quaternary phosphonium groups in the simple salt form, e.g. as chlorides, are surface active. There is a correlation between the surfactant activity of the salts and the gellant activity of the clay derivatives. Consequently, detergent range n-alkyl groups are preferred phosphorus substituents for phosphonium clays.

Specific preferred types of phosphonium clays are of the formula:

m 2m+l 1| 2n+i)a] Claywherein m and rt are l to 40, preferably m is 12 to 40, n is l to 7, more preferably m is to 40, n is l to 6.

l( 2H-l)a k zk+rl Claywherein j is C to C k is l to 7, preferably j is 8 to 18,

k is l to 4; more preferably,j is 8 and 9, k is l or 2.

. l( r 21-+i)2 I ZI+I)Z] y wherein r is 1 to 4; more preferably, 9 to 16, s is l to 2. Other preferred types of phosphonium clays have the M ZIn-H Similar phosphonium clays having a reactive substituent may have acrylate, hydroxy, thiol, amino, silane, halogen and other similar functions.

Examples of the phosphonium groups on clays include docosyl trimethyl phosphonium, hexatriacontyl tricyclohexyl phosphonium, octadecyl triethyl phosphonium, docosyl triisobutyl phosphonium, methyl trinonyl phosphonium, ethyl trihexadecyl phosphonium, dimethyl didecyl phosphonium, diethyl dioctadecyl phosphonium, octadecyl diethyl allyl phosphonium, trioctyl vinylbenzyl phosphonium, dioctadecyl ethyl hydroxyethyl phosphonium, docosyl diethyl dichlorobenzyl phosphonium, octyl nonyl decyl propargyl phosphonium, triisobutyl perfluoroundecyl phosphonium, eicosyl trihydroxymethyl phosphonium, triacontyl triscyanoethyl phosphonium, bis-trioctyl ethylene diphosphonium, etc.

The modified Clay groups of the present phosphonium compositions are best defined in terms of the natural and synthetic metal and ammonium aluminosilicates they are derived from.

The natural clay starting materials of the present invention are fine grained metal aluminosilicates which develop plasticity when mixed with limited amounts of water. For a more detailed definition and classification of clays, see the monograph entitled Clay Mineralogy by R. E. Grim, published by McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, in 1968, particularly Chapters 1 to 3 on pages 1 to 50. Similar synthetic clay derivatives are also included.

Sodium aluminosilicate clays are preferred for the derivation of the present phosphonium clays. The preferred clays have high cation exchange capacities and are crystalline Among the preferred clays are'those having crystalline layer type structures. For example, the three-layer type sodium montmorilloniteclays can be advantageously used. Another useful clay is the 6 chain structure type attapulgite. Two layer type clays such as kaolinites can be also used. Zeolites, i.e. metal or ammonium aluminosilicates having a tunnel-hole structure, are also included in the term clay as it is used in the present invention.

Further examples of clays are halloysite, smectite, illite, vermiculite, chlorite, sepiolite, palygorskite, saponite, montronite, muscovite, beidellite, biotite, micas, talcum, batavite, allevardite, stevensite, amesite.

Process of Product Preparation The above described clays, i.e. metal aluminosilicates, particularly the more reactive ammonium and sodium aluminosilicate clays, are used as starting materials in the present process. These clays are reacted with tetraalkyl phosphonium salts to form the corresponding quaternary phosphonium salt products. The phosphonium salt reactants are of the formula: [R P ],,X, wherein y is the number of the valency of the anion, i.e. 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 3; most preferably 1; X is an anion, preferably an anion derived from protic acids. Examples of X are halogen, i.e. chlorine, bromine, fluorine, iodine, sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphite, carboxylate, such as acetate.

The clay starting materials are usually reacted in the form of a suspension. The preferred suspending agent is water. Aqueous alcohols can be also used. The lower alcohols, having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, can be also used. It may be advantageous at times to use a hydrocarbon such as heptane, together with the aqueous medium, since the phosphonium clay products are usually more compatible with hydrocarbons than water.

The phosphonium salt reactants can be added to the clay suspension as such or as a solution. Suita le exemplary solvents are water, alcohols, ketones, ydrocarbons. A water miscible solvent is usually preferred. On the addition of the phosphonium salt to the clay, ion exchange takes place. If the X anion of the salt and the Me cations of the clay are monovalent, the reaction can be simply described by the followin scheme:

cla -=1 eMe e R,P x} [R,P cla wherein Me is metal, ammonium, hydrogen, preferably metal.

This reaction can be carried to full or partial conversion. The term full conversion" means that all the exchangeable metal cations are exchanged for phosphonium cations. The amount of exchangeable metals is usually given in milliequivalents per 100 g clay and is designated as ion exchange capacity. The amount of phosphonium salt may exceed the ion exchange capacity of the clay. In such cases, the excess phosphonium salt is complexed with the phosphonium clay.

An advantageous method for the preparation of the tetraalkyl phosphonium clays consists of adding the corresponding phosphonium salt to an aqueous suspension of the clay. The phosphonium salt is preferably added as. a solution in water or in alcohol. As a result of the ion exchange, the clay usually becomes less hydrophylic and precipitates from the water. The metal salt by-product of the exchange is usually water soluble. Consequently, the tetraalkyl phosphonium clay products can be usually separated as crystalline solids by simple filtration and washing.

The ion exchange reaction is rather independent of the reaction temperature. The temperature is preferably above the crystallization point of the medium and below its boiling point. For aqueous systems the temperature is between 0 and 100C, preferably between 40 and C.

The occurrence of the reaction is also rather independent of the concentration of the reactants. The ion exchange goes to completion even in extremely dilute media. Nevertheless, if the reaction is carried out for manufacturing purposes, practicality commands a lower limit of reactant concentration at about 0.1%. The higher limit is usually set by the viscosity a of the thixotropic clay suspension, usually at 7.0%. The preferred clay concentrations are in the range of 0.5 and 10%. It is most often preferred to operate in the l to clay concentration range. The concentration of the phosphonium salt when added is immaterial. The only significance of the solvent here is in aiding the mixing with the clay suspension and adjusting the final solvent concentration in the reaction mixture.

Product Properties The tetraalkyl phosphonium clays of the present invention have many unexpected properties. Some of these properties are common to all the products and distinguish them from analogous tetraalkyl ammonium clays. Other unexpected properties are dependent on the presence of particular aliphatic substituents. A general discussion of these properties will be provided in the following.

The thermal stability of all the tetraalkyl phosphonium clays is greater than that of their ammonium analogs. The difference in thermal stability became apparent when the quaternary clay samples were heated up to 900C at a certain rate under nitrogen. Under these conditions, the temperature and the rate of the weight loss of the sample reflect its thermal stability. Such studies showed that the phosphonium clays on an average suffered comparable weight loss at temperatures about 80C higher than those observed for the ammonium analogs at the same heating rate. Furthermore, it was found that tetraalkyl phosphonium clays having higher than methyl substituents were thermally more stable under these conditions than similar derivatives having methyl substituents.

The affinity of tetraalkyl phosphonium clays towards polar compounds is higher than that of their nitrogen analogs. This property may be connected with more facile, and more stable complex formation in the case of the phosphonium clays. Due to this, tetraalkyl phosphonium clays are more active gelling agents for polar organic compounds such as aromatic hydrocarbons, and oxygenated compounds. Also, tetraalkyl phosphonium clays do not require polar additives as the ammonium analogs do when used as gelling agents.

The above affinity is responsible for the comparatively long retention of aromatics when passed through gas-liquid chromatography (glc) columns packed with phosphonium clays. Furthermore, probably for the same reason, silicon modifiers are not necessary when phosphonium rather than ammonium clays are used in such glc separations.

There are also unexpected differences between the microstructure of the various types of quaternary tetraalkyl phosphonium clays. This microstructure refers to the orientation of the quarternary phosphonium groups between the inorganic aluminosilicate layers. The repeat distance of these layers in the original clays and in their various quarternary derivatives could be determined by X-ray. Comparing these distances, the changes of the interlayer distances could be determined. It was found that the increase of these distances could be directly related to the carbon number of the higher n-alkyl substituents on the phosphorus. Furthermore, it was surprisingly found that these distances also depend on the number of higher n-alkyl groups per phosphorus atoms. Obviously the orientation of the phosphonium groups and particular the orientation of the higher n-alkyl substituents depends on the number of higher n-alkyl groups per phosphorus.

The above dry microstructure of the quaternary higher monoalkyl phosphonium clays is such that the interplanar spacing is moderately influenced by the number of carbons of the n-alkyl groups. Such a moderate effect can be visualized by the orientation of alkyl groups at a small angle to the aluminosilicate plane. In the case of quaternary high dialkyl phosphonium clays, this effect on the spacing of the number of carbons per n-alkyl group is more pronounced. Accordingly, a larger angle between the n-alkyl groups and the layer plane is assumed. In the case of the quaternary higher trialkyl phosphonium clays, this effect is even higher and can be explained by a perpendicular orientation of the higher n-alkyl groups.

As a consequence of the above microstructures, the required number of carbon atoms per higher n-alkyl substituent for gelling is much smaller for higher trialkyl than higher monoalkyl phosphonium clays. Furthermore, due to this structure, C alkyl C trialkyl phosphonium montmorillonites are especially capable of interacting with highly polar groups such ester groups. On the other hand, quaternary phosphonium compounds having only one C or higher alkyl groups per phosphonium moiety are particularly apt to interact with hydrocarbons such as toluene.

The unexpected gelling properties of the present tetraalkyl phosphonium clays in organic liquids can be utilized by using individual phosphonium clay compositions or mixtures thereof. Mixtures of phosphonium clays with other gelling agents such as ammonium clays and silica can be also used. Such mixtures are particularly advantageous for gelling complex systems such as paints.

EXAMPLES General Procedures for the Preparation of Tetraalkyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite Clays (Examples 1, 3-1 1) The procedures for the preparation of phosphonium montmorillonite clays take advantage of the ready dispersability of such hydrophylic clays in water and in water isopropanol mixtures. The composition of the medium is dependent on the solubility of the tetraalkyl phosphonium chloride salt clay reactant to be used. Usually it was attempted to prepare a 10% solution. If the salt was water soluble, water was used to disperse the clay reactant as well. If warm water did not dissolve the salt, isopropanol was added. isopropanol-water mixtures were used, up to 50% isopropanol concentration as solvents for salts. Once a solution was made, a solvent medium of matching composition was made for dispersing the clay.

The salt solutions were added to the stirred clay suspensions of l to 3% concentration which were prewarmed to 50C. The temperature of the salt solution was ambient in cases of high solubilities. Salts of lower solubility were reacted as 45-50C solutions as required. All the solution was added at once. This resulted in an instantaneous reaction. Nevertheless, stir- 9 ring of the reaction mixture was continued to complete the reaction and to obtain a homogeneous solid product. The product was usually hydrophobic, large in particle size and ready to filter. Nevertheless, it retained a large (about ninefold) amount of water which was removed by drying in vacuo.

The phosphonium chloride reactants were usually employed in amounts corresponding to the ion exchange capacity of the clays. As a rule, complete ion exchange occurred and product analyses showed that the organic content of the clays was closed to the calculated value. The chlorine contents were minimal, indicating that after reaction with sodium montmorillonite, the chloride anion of the phosphonium salt was removed as an aqueous sodium chloride filtrate.

One of the most characteristic properties of individual phosphonium clays is their X-ray spectrum. From the X-ray data, the repeat distances of the layered phosphonium clays can be calculated. These distances are recorded and discussed since they depend on the structure of the phosphonium moieties which are between the inorganic aluminosilicate layers.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Tetraalkyl Phosphonium Hectorites The starting clay was a refined sodium hectorite sup- 10 ture was easy to stir. After an hour mixing, the mixture was filtered readily by suction and washed by distilled water.

Among the first higher trialkyl phosphonium chlorides, only the first one was water soluble. The others were dissolved in a 1 to 1 mixture of water and isopropanol and in these cases a similar solvent mixture was used to suspend the hectorite starting clay. In the case of the methyl trihexadecyl phosphonium chloride, it was also necessary to use a higher temperature of 70C to effect solution. In that case, the reaction was also carried out at the elevated temperature. The tetraalkyl phosphonium hectorite clay products were dried in vacuo at 0.1 mm at room temperature. The dry products were then analyzed for elemental composition and X-ray spectra.

As it is shown by Table I, the found composition of the modified clays is surprisingly close to the values calculated assuming the exchange of 100 miliequivalent metal for phosphonium per 100 g of clay. Also, in those cases wherein a excess of the quaternary phosphonium salt reactant was used, the found composition rather well agreed with the one calculated assuming a complete complexing of the excess phosphonium salt. There is no apparent difficulty of ion exchange for the butyl higher trialkyl phosphonium salts.

TABLE I INTERPLANAR SPACING OF 001 REFLECTION (001) AND COMPOSITION OF CLAYS MODIFIED WITH VARIOUS HIGHER MONO-AND TRIALKYL PHOSPI-IONIUM CHLORIDES Structure of Quaternary Spacing Elemental Composition of Modified Clay Seq. Chloride Clay Modifier 001 Calcd. for 100""(150")me Found Type No. 100 me"' A C H P Cl"" C H P Cl 1 1 (No Modifier, Starting 12.6 0.25

clay) 13.42 2.94 2.22 0.05 11 3 [(CH P C H ]C1 16.1 14.74 2.80 2.53 14.13 2.74 2.75 0.41 4 [(C H P C, H ]Cl 17.6 17.10 3.19 2.45 16.63 3.23 2.53 0.47 5 [(C 5) P C I-I ]CI 22.4 21.37 3.14 2.30 22.10 4.05 2.41 0.79 6 same as above but 150 me 23.0 27.86 4.09 2.99 1.14 28.25 4.86 3.27 1.30 7 {(C H );P C, H ]C1 23.0 26.48 4.74 2.28 26.09 4.72 2.46 0.63 111 10 [(C H );,P CH;,]Cl 23.2 22.05 3.96 2.27 24.83 4.34 2.76 0.45 1 1 [(C H ),P CH ]Cl' 30.5-31.5 34.63 6.04 1.82 32.64 5.62 2.05 0.67 12 same as above, but 150 me 32.5 42.47 7.42 2.23 0.85 38.82 7.20 2.34 1.18 13 [(C H ),-,P C,H ]Cl 21.0 22.68 4.10 2.25 21.81 4.09 2.24 0.20 14 same as above. but 150 ""Stoichiometric a r ion "'Stoichiometric amount of quaternary was used ""c J 100me r Inn L plied by N. L. Industries. lts composition can be expressed by the following summary formula:

( )4 u gs.a4 u.aa o.aa

This clay was indicated to have an exchangeable ion capacity of 100 miliequivalents per 100 g dry material. Accordingly, 0.1 mole of phosphonium chloride per 100 g clay was used to effect the exchange of the inorganic cations of the clay for the organic phosphonium cations.

The products derived from the reaction of a number of higher monoalkyl and trialkyl phosphonium chlorides are shown in Table l.

The higher monoalkyl phosphonium chlorides could be dissolved in water to form 5% solutions which were then added dropwise to a well stirred 2% aqueous suspension of the clay at room temperature. Flocculation of large clay aggregates started immediately and stirring became difficult during the first part of the addition. By the time the addition was completed, the mixu. cation 9 plus 50 me phosphonium halide absorption.

amount of quaternary was used assuming miliequivalent cation exchange capacity for 100 g of clay.

' y for 100 g of clay.

Table I also shows some X-ray data, i.e. the interplanar spacings of the 001 reflection. These spacings indicate the interlayer repeat distances. The products were examined by powder X-ray diffraction using a Norelco goniometer with Cu radiation. All of the derivatives showed the characteristic diffraction pattern of a clay that had been intercalated. The specific features of the X-ray pattern were: generally broadened peaks, a series of three to four hk0 lines which did not shift with the different intercalates, and the 001 reflection. The interplanar spacing of the 001 reflection ("001) is dependent on the amount, geometry and orientation of the intercalating species. The unmodified clay has "001 12.6 A while the modified clays have 001 ranging from 15.5 A to 32.5 A. Some samples are more crystalline than others. This is indicated by a range of values for 001. It should also be noted that the samples that were treated with an excess of salt gave a sharper X-ray pattern than those treated with a stoichiometric spacing.

EXAMPLE 2 Thermal Stability of Quaternary Tetraalkyl Phosphonium I-Iectorites The thermal stability of some of the phosphonium hectorites of Example 1 was studied under nitrogen. The rate of weight loss of samples was examined between 0 and 900C at a heating rate of 6C per minute. Methyl trioctyl ammonium hectorite was similarly prepared and tested for comparison. The results are shown in Table II.

The data show that methyl trioctyl phosphonium hectorite is thermally much more stable than its nitrogen analog (Seq. No. 2 vs. 1). It is also shown that the decomposition of the octadecyl triethyl phosphonium hectorite starts at a higher temperature than that of the methyl higher trialkylphosphonium hectorites (Seq. No. 4 vs. 2 and 3). In contrast, changing the length of higher alkyl chains of the methyl trioctyl phosphonium derivative has no significant effect on the thermal stability (Seq. No. 2 vs. 3).

TABLE II 12 available under the trade name Mineral Colloid BP. This clay is prepared from crude Wyoming montmorillonite. The product has a water content of about 10%. Its composition corresponds to the following summary formula:

( 1.a4 o.es)'( a.ia o.31 go.54 2o( )4 o.io o.o-

4 o.se) This clay was indicated to have an ion exchange capacity of 90 milliequivalents per 100 g dry clay. In the present work, however, it was found that it has a minimum ion exchange capacity of 99 me per 100 g towards tetraalkyl phosphonium chlorides having at least one higher alkyl group. Up to 5% this clay can be easily dispersed in water to yield stable suspensions which can be easily and effectively stirred. Its interplanar repeat distance is 12 A.

In the present example, two higher alkyl trimethyl phosphonium chlorides and four higher alkyl triethyl phosphonium chlorides were reacted with the above described sodium montmorillonite to yield the corresponding phosphonium montmorillonites as shown by Table III.

In all of these reactions, a stable suspension of the sodium montmorillonite in distilled water or isopropanoI-water was used. The clay concentration was set at about 2% in the reaction mixture. The majority of the phosphonium chloride reactants was dissolved in warm water to provide reactant solutions of approximately 10% concentration at C. In cases of salts having low water solubility, a warm 1 to 4 mixture of isopropanol and water was used as a solvent. These latter solutions were reacted with clays suspended in THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS"" OF QUATERNARY PHOSPHONIUM AND AMMONIUM DERIVATIVES OF REFINED HECTORITE CLAYS Sequence Chemical Structure Decomposition Temp., C Total Weight Analysis: Sum of No. of Quaternary Group Onset Max. Rate End Loss, C, H and N or P,

I (C l-I,-,) N CH;, 325 405 475 25 29.2 2 (C H P Cl-I 365 480 545 33 28.3 3 (C H ),,P*CI-I 310 510 545 39 40.3 4 C, H ,P (C H 435 505 575 28 28.6

"Rate of Heating: 6C per minute, S. S. Planchet, Range: 0900C, N, flow 350 ml per min.

"I'he main decomposition reaction starts at a higher temperature.

TABL

solvent mixtures of identical composition.

E III PREPARATION, INTERPLANAR SPACING AND COMPOSITION OF HIGHER MONO- ALKYL TRIMETHYL AND TRIETI-IYL PHOSPHONIUM DERIVATIVES OF MONTMORILLONITE (MINERAL COLLOID BP) 3( 2)0l]2 m 2n+\} y; 20

Structure of Chloride Seq. Quaternary Cation React-ant Reaction X-ray Elemental Composition of Modified Clay No. on Clay Used, Medium S pacing Calcd. for 99 me/ Moles 001, 100g. Dry Clay Found C H P C H P Cl 1 [(CH3) P C H 0.018"" 11 0 13.80 2.65 2.54 13.42 2.94 2.22 0.05 2 [(CH P C, H 0.0097" H O 18.4 16.20 3.04 2.46 17.20 3.45 0.16 3 [(CH );,P*C H 0.023 1PA-H O"" 20.8 20.54 3.75 2.30 20.64 4.14 2.35 0.13 4 [(C H,) P C, H l 0027"" H O 17.8 16.96 3.16 2.43 16.16 3.24 2.33 0.05 5 [(C H,) P C, H 0027"" H O 21.0 19.86 3.64 2.33 19.48 3.91 2.25 0.10 6 [(C H P C I-I 0027"" 11,0 22.1 21.22 3.86 2.28 22.23 4.24 2.26 0.22 7 [(C,H P C H. 0.023 IPA-H O 21.8 22.50 4.07 2.24 23.52 4.76 1.98 0.19

""About 10% water solution at 50C. ""About 3.4% in 1 to 4 isopropanol-water at 50C. "'About 10% is 1 to 4 isopropanol-water. ""lsopropanol-water in a ratio of 1 to 4.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparanon of Hlgher Monoalkyl Tnmethyl and All the reactions were carried out at 50C, by adding Triethyl Phosphonium Montmorillonites The starting clay was a refined sodium montmorillonite supplied by the Georgia Kaolin Company which is 99 me of the phosphonium chloride solution to the well stirred clay suspension at once. A sudden large increase of viscosity occurred immediately. In about 2-3 min- 13 utes, the viscosity became manageable. After 30 minutes stirring the mixture was filtered with suction and the cake was washed with distilled water on the filter funnel. In case of the isopropanol-watermixtures, the

14 reaction process and the isolation of the products were basically the same as in the previous example.

As it is shown by Table IV, the found elemental composition of the clays was in fair agreement with the identical solvent mixture was used for washing at first. calculated values. It is felt that differences between the This was then followed by water. The washing liquids found and calculated values is mostly due to the impuwere employed in three equal volume portions. At the rities in the phosphonium chlorides of the present chlo- 30 g starting clay level this volume was 300 ml. The rides. These chlorides are viscous liquids very difficult washed, filtered products still had about 90% water to purify. The chlorine content of the products was content. They were dried under-0.1 mrn pressure, eiagain low indicating an essentially complete ion exther at room temperature or at 60C. The dry products change. were ball milled overnight and then'passed through a The interplanar spacing was again directly propor- 200 mesh screen. Thereafter, they were analyzed and tional to the length of the higher alkyl chain as in the evaluated. previous example. However, in the case of the higher The found carbon, hydrogen and phosphorus content alkyl triisobutyl phosphonium clays there was no signifof the products was in general close to the calculated icant change from the C to C alkyl group. Also in values (Table Ill). The chlorine content was 0.22% or the case of the n-C alkyl group, the interplanar disless, indicating that a true ion exchange reaction rather tance was virtually the same for the tri-n-butyl and the than adduct complex formation took place. The formatri-i-butyl derivatives Seq. Nos. In the case of the n-C tion of the clay derivatives resulted in greatly increases alkyl compounds, the tri-n-butyl phosphonium clay had interplanar distances. These distances are directly pora smaller interplanar distance than the tri-i-butyl derivportional to the number of carbons in the higher n-alkyl ative.

TABLE 1V INTERPLANAR SPACING OF 001 REFLECTION AND COMPOSITION OF HIGHER MONOALKYL TRI-n-BUTYL AND TRI-i-BUTYL PHOSPHONIUM DERIVATIVES OF MONTMORILLONITE (MINERAL COLLOID BP) [(C H P C,,,H Clay; m=l2l8 Structure of Chloride Seq. Quaternary Cation Reactant Reaction X-Ray Elemental Composition of Modified Clay,% No. on Clay Used, Temp. Spacing Calcd. for 99 me/ Moles C 001, A 100 g. Dry Clay FOUND C H P C H P Cl l [(n-C H I C H 0027"" Ambient 20.5 21.22 3.93 2.28 19.61 3.99 2.12 0.07 2 [(n-C H P C H 0.022 Ambient 22.2-22.5 23.78 4.28 2.19 24.86 4.77 2.41 0.24 3 [(i-C H,) -,P C H 0.024" 22.5 21.22 3.86 2.28 21.71 4.27 2.20 0.1 l 4 [(l-C I'I P C Hz9] 0.027 45 22.3 22.52 4.07 2.23 22.62 4.38 2.33 0.12 5 [(i-C C C H 0.027 45 22.4 23.05 4.26 2.19 23.85 4.52 2.16 0.08 6 [(i'C4Hg)aP C BH31] 0135"" Ambient 23.0 24.97 4.47 2.16 25.22 4.90 2.09 0.14

"About 10% water solution. "'About 15% water solution containing 10% mole excess quaternary due to impure quaternary. "'About 10% water solution at 45C.

group of the phosphonium clay substituent. In the LE 5 range examined, the increase per two additional carbon atoms is in the order of l A. However, this increase is Preparation of Docosyl Tri-C -Alkyl Phosphonium not always the same, it is more of an average value. Montmorillonites Dependent on their inorganic structure, layered clays seem to prefer to assume structures having certain discreet values. The n-alkyl group being equal, (C a triethyl phosphonium derivative had an interplanar distance 1 A greater than a trimethyl phosphonium group. (Seq. No. 7 vs. 3).

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Higher Monoalkyl Tributyl Phosphonium Montmorillonites Higher monoalkyl tri-n-butyl and tri-primary-i-butyl phosphonium chlorides were reacted with the Mineral Colloid BP clay of the previous example under similar conditions. A summary of the results is provided in Table IV.

The clay starting material was employed as a 2% aqueous suspension. This was possible since all the phosphonium chlorides of the present series were soluble in water. About 10% aqueous chloride solutions were used at either ambient temperatures or at about 45C. All the phosphonium chlorideswere again employed at the 99 me per 100 g dry clay. treatment level. In the one case, wherein the quaternary salt was impure, a correspondingly larger quantity was used. The

Decosyl lower trialkyl phosphonium chlorides were reacted with the refined sodium montmorillonite of the previous example under similar conditions. A summary of the results is provided in Table V.

The clay starting material was again employed at a concentration to give a 2% suspension after the addition of the chloride solution. However, the docosyl trialkyl phosphonium chloride starting reactants of this example, in general, showed a lower water solubility than those previously used. Consequently, in this example, both the chlorides and the clay were dissolved in isopropanol-water mixtures.

On the addition of the chloride solutions to the clay suspensions, the same immediate reaction took place which was described in the previous example. The products were also isolated in a manner basically the same as was used previously.

The found elemental composition of the clays was again close to the theoretical calculated on the basis of assuming the reaction of all the phosphonium chloride, i.e. 99 me per 100g dry clay. However, it is noted that all the found-values are slightly higher in contrast to the more unevenly scattered values of the previous example. It is also interesting to observethat the chlorine 15 contents found were smaller in this series than in the earlier.

The interplanar repeat distances of the docosyl trialkyl phosphonium clays indicate the direct effect of the the isolation of the higher dialkyl dimethyl and diethyl phosphonium montmorillonite products basically the previously used procedure was employed.

As it is shown by the analytical data of Table VI, the

increasing number of carbon atoms in the n-trialkyl found elemental composition of the products is in good part of the phosphonium moiety on the interplanar agreement with their calculated values. It is noted that distance. From methyl to n-butyl the increase of this the three higher dialkyl dimethyl montmorillonites had distance per carbon is increasing. It is interesting to only trace amounts of chlorine. This indicates that observe that the interplanar distance of the tri-isoprothere was no excess, unconverted phosphonium chlopyl phosphonium derivative is greatly increased over ride reactant but an essentially complete ion exchange. that of the corresponding tri-n-propyl compound (Seq. The interplanar spacing of the quaternary higher Nos. 3 vs. 4). Branching of a small alkyl group appardialkyl phosphonium clays of Table V1 is in general ently increases its effect on the interplanar distance. much larger than that of the quaternary higher monoal- TABLE V INTERPLANAR SPACING OF 001 REFLECTION AND COMPOSITION OF DOCOSYL TRI-C A-ALKYL PHOSPHONIUM DERIVATIVES OF MONT- MORILLONITE (MINERAL COLLOID BP) n 2n4-l)3 22 I y;

R Group in Chloride X-Ray Seq. Quaternary Cation Reactant Reaction Spacing, Elemental Composition of Modified Clay(%) No. C H P-l-R Used, Moles Medium "001 A Calcd for 99 me Found C H P C H P Cl 1 CH;, 0010" IPA/H O 22.4 21.87 3.96 2.25 22.29 4.34 2.24 0.0% 2 C H 0.045 lPA/H O" 23.0 23.77 4.27 2.19 23.80 4.51 2.20 0.10 3 n-C H 0.018 IPA/H O 24.2 25.56 4.57 2.13 26.24 4.93 2.34 0.05 4 I-C H, 0.018" IPA/H O 25.7 25.56 4.57 2.13 26.42 5.01 2.23 0.03 5 n-C H, 0.0 1 IPA/H O 26.0 27.24 4.85 2.07 28.05 5.18 2.29 0.03

Miliequivalent quaternary per 100 g starting dry clay. ""About 2.7% in 1 to 3 isopropanol-water at 53C. "About 6% in 1 to 4 isopropanol-water.

'About 10% in 1 to 5 isopropanol-water. 'Isopropanol-water in a ratio of l to 3. "lsopropanol-water in a ratio of 1 to 4. "lsopropanol-water in a ratio of 1 to 5.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Higher Dialkyl Dimethyl and Diethyl Phosphonium Montmorillonites Higher dialkyl dimethyl and diethyl phosphonium chlorides were reacted with the sodium montmorillonite of the previous example in the usual manner. The results are summarized in Table VI The clay starting material was again used at the 2% kyl phosphonium clays of Table III. For example, the spacing of dioctadecyl diethyl phosphonium montmo- 5 rillonite of Table VI, Seq. No. 4 is 28.4A while that of TABLE VI PREPARATION, INTERPLANAR SPACING AND COMPOSITION OF HIGHER DIALKYL DIMETHYL AND DIETHYL PHOSPHONIUM DERIVATIVES OF MONTMORILLONITE (MINERAL COLLOID BP) r 2r-t-l)z P (CH,) CH;,] Clay; I=8l8 Structure of Chloride X-Ray Elemental Composition of Modified Clay Seq. Quaternary Cation Reactant Reaction Spacing Calc for 99 me/ No. on Clay Used, Moles Medium "001,A 100 g Dry Clay Found C H P C H P Cl 1 [(CH;,),P (C H 0.020 H O 20.5 16.96 3.16 2.43 20.38 4.12 2.53 0.02 2 [(CI'I ):P (C Hzt)zI 0.020 1PA/H,O- 20.3 19.86 3.64 2.33 20.28 4.02 2.51 0.02 3 [(CH ),P (C 15) 0.0Z7 IPA/H 0 22.6- 22.52 4.07 2.22 21.53 4.30 2.13 Nil 23.4 4 [(C,H,) P (C, H 0.014"" IPA/H O" 28.4 30.35 5.35 1.96 30.40 5.88 2.00 0.17

""About 10% water solution at room temperature. "About 10% at ambient temperature. "'About 37% at ambient temperature. ""Ahout 18% at 70C. "lsopropanol-water in ratio of 1 to 3. "About 2.3% isopropanol in water. "lsopropanal-water in a ratio of 1 to 4.

concentration level. The solvent media, i.e. water or EXAMPLE 7 isopropanolic water were identical for the clay and the phosphonium chloride reactants. The phosphonium chloride solution of 10 to 37% concentration was added all at once to the 2% clay suspension at C. The treatment level was 99 me chloride per 100 g vacuum dried clay. On the addition of the chloride an immediate reaction occurred in the usual manner. For

Preparation of Quaternary Higher Trialkyl Phosphonium Montmorillonites TABLE VII INTERPLANAR SPACING OF 001 REFLECTION AND COMPOSITION OF QUATERNARY TRl-C -ALKYL PHOSPHONIUM DERIVATIVES OF MONTMORILLONITE CLAY (MINERAL COLLOID BP) tially the same (22.0-22.6 A). Even, the benzyl trioctyl phosphonium clay has a similar spacing (Seq. No. 8). In contrast, decreasing the lengths of the higher trialkyl substituents from 8 carbons to 6 carbons results in a largely decreased spacing (4.5 A, Seq. No. 1 vs 2). Increasing the length of the trialkyl group from eight carbons to ten carbons also results in a substantially increased spacing (2.9 A, Seq. No. 2 vs 9); However, it is noted that this increase is down to almost half the value observed for the analogous 2 carbon change from Structure of Chloride X-Ray Elemental Composition of Modified Clay Seq. Quaternary Cation Reactant Reactant Spacing Calc for 99 rne/ No. on Clay Used, Moles Medium 001,A 100 g Dry Clay Found C H P C H P Cl 1 [(C H, P CH 0027"" IPA/H O" 17.8 17.71 3.29 2.40 17.63 3.60 2.25 0.04 2 [(C H,-,) P CII 0.027 IPA/11 22.1-22.6 21.88 3.97 2.26 21.63 4.35 2.28 0.08 3 [(C H,,);,P C H 0.027 IPA/H O 22.2 22.52 4.01 2.23 22.61 4.48 2.24 0.13 4 [(C H P n-C I-I 0.027 IPA/11 0" 22.0 23.15 4.18 2.21 23.21 4.60 2.27 0.01 5 [(C H,-,) ',P n-C H 0027"" lPA/I-I O" 22.5 23.77 4.28 2.19 23.93 4.67 2.18 0.09 6 [(C H P n-C H 0.027 IPA/H O 22.6 24.37 4.38 2.17 20.75 4.20 1.93 0.02 7 [(C H,-,) P n-C H, 0.027 IPA/H 0 22.4 24.97 4.47 2.15 20.46 4.16 1.78 0.04

8 [(C H,,) P CH 0.027" IPA/H 0 22.4 25.70 4.04 2.14 23.16 4.10 1.76 0.06

9 [(C H P CH 0027"" IPA/H O" 25.2 25.56 4.57 2.13 25.79 4.99 2.09 0.06

"About 10% solution at 40C. "About 9% at 50C.

"'About 10% solution at 50C. "About 6% solution at 50C. "lsopropanol-water at 1 to 5 ratio "'lsopropanol-water at 1 to 3 ratio "'Isopropanol-water at l to 2 ratio Upon mixing the reactants, a large temporary increase of the reaction mixture viscosity was observed, followed by a gradual breakdown of this increased viscosity. The reaction mixture was stirred at 50C for minutes and then immediately filtered with suction. The filter-cake was washed two times with ten-fold quantities of the isopropanol-water mixture used as the reaction medium and once with a similar quantity of distilled water. Thereafter, the product was dried in vacuo (0.1 mm) at 60C and ball-milled for 18 hours. The ball-milled product was submitted for X-ray and elemental analysis: it was then sieved through a 200 mesh screen and subjected to testing.

The found elemental compositions of the phosphonium clay products are in excellent agreement with the calculated values in all cases but two (Seq. Nos. 6 and 7). Particularly encouraging are the low chlorine values which are indicative of complete ion exchange at the relatively high 99 milliequivalent quaternary chloride per 100 g clay treatment level. The low phosphonium contents reported for both the pentyl and hexyl trioctyl phosphonium clay products (Seq. Nos. 6 and 7) have been substantiated and are probably due to a low quaternary content of the starting chlorides.

The interplanar spacings of the quaternary higher trialkyl methyl phosphonium clays of Table VII is much higher than those of the corresponding higher dialkyl analogs of Table VI. For example, the spacings of the trioctyl and tridecyl clays of Table VII, Seq. Nos. 2 and 10, were much larger than those of the dioctyl and didecyl clays of Table VI, Seq. Nos. 1 and 2.

It is interesting that the interplanar spacing of all the quaternary trioctyl phosphonium clays from the methyl through the hexyl derivative (Seq. Nos. 2-7) is essenthe trihexyl to the trioctyl group.

The above data on the interplanar spacing of quaternary higher trialkyl phosphonium montmorillonites can be explained by assuming a perpendicular orientation of the higher alkyl groups relative to the surface of the aluminosilicate layers.

The data indicate, that a definite perpendicular orientation of the three higher n-alkyl groups relative to the surface of the aluminosilicate layers does not occur until their carbon number is above 6 per chain. Furthermore, it seems that the accommodation of the fourth alkyl group of these quaternary derivatives in the C to C range without affecting the interplanar spacing is best explained by an orientation parallel to the plane. For example, in the case of the hexyl trioctyl phosphonium montmorillonite FIG. 1 indicates the proposed orientation.

This hypothesis also explains the adverse effect of increasing the number of carbons of the fourth alkyl group on the gelling ability of such clays as described in Example 23.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of Methyl Diethyl Octadecyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite To a stirred water suspension of g refined sodium montmorillonite (MCBP) at 50C, a 7% water solution of methyl diethyl phosphonium chloride is added at once to produce a 3% clay reaction mixture. In the 45 seconds following the addition, a typical thickening of the solution and the formation, large product precipitate particles with concurrent viscosity decrease indicated the reaction. After 30 minutes stirring at 50C, 177 g product was separated in the usual manner.

19 Elemental Analysis: Calculated for 100 miliequivalent phosphonium group, CH (C H P C H per 100 g dry clay: C, 20.54; H, 3.75; P, 2.30. Found: C, 20,80; H, 3.75; P, 2.20; Cl, 0.18.

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Methyl Diethyl Octacosyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite As a tetraalkyl phosphonium salt reactant, a higher alkyl methyl diethyl phosphonium chloride was used in this experiment. The higher n-alkyl groups were of varying chain length with an even number of carbon atoms in the 24-28 range. The average number of carbons per higher alkyl group was 27.

The solution of the phosphonium salt was prepared at 50C by adding 14.4 g (0.027 moles) of it to 134 ml of a 2 to 1 mixture of isopropanol and water. The clay reactant (refined sodium montmorillonite, MCBP) was suspended in a similar solvent mixture using 30 g wet clay containing 10% water and 1336 ml solvent. On the addition of the salt solution to the stirred clay suspension, some thickening of the mixture occurred. However, the viscosity was again reduced in a minute as a coarse product precipitate was formed. After 30 minutes stirring, the product was isolated as usual and dried at 60C at 0.1 mm.

Elemental analysis: Calculated for 99 miliequivalent phosphonium group, [CH (C H P C H ]Cl per 100 g dry clay: C, 26.69; H, 4.75; P, 2.08. Found: C, 25.41; H, 4.85; P, 2.01; Cl, 0.26.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Allyl Diethyl Octadecyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite To a stirred water suspension at 50C of 30 g refined sodum montmorillonite clay (MCBP), a 10% water solution at 50C of 1 1.3 g (0.27 moles) of allyl diethyl Octadecyl phosphonium chloride was added to give a reaction mixture containing 2% clay. An immediate reaction occurred as described in the previous example. The product, 40 g, was isolated in the usual manner.

Elemental analysis: Calculated for 100 me CH CH=CH(C H P C H per 100 g clay: C, 24.33; H, 3.83; P, 2.26. Found: C, 27.35; H, 5.16; P, 2.66.

The same reaction was also carried out with 20 g of the clay and 8.4 g (0.02 moles) the phosphonium chloride, i.e. 1 12 me CH CH=CH(C H P C l-1 per 100 g clay.

Elemental analysis: Calculated: C, 23.69; H, 4.14; P, 2.44; Cl, 0.3. Found: C, 24.13; H, 4.14; P, 2.31; CI, 0.26.

EXAMPLE 1 1 Preparation of Vinylbenzyl Triethyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite 45 g montmorillonite clay is dispersed in a 2 to 1 mixture of water-isopropanol at 45C to yield a 3% suspension. To the well stirred suspension, a solution of 13.55 g (0.05 mole) of Vinylbenzyl triethyl phosphonium chloride is added at 45C at once. This resulted in an immediate tremendous thickening of the mixture. A few minutes after the addition, the viscosity decreased. Stirring of the reaction mixture was continued for 45 minutes. Thereafter, the product was isolated in the usual manner.

Elemental analysis: Calculated for milliequivalent phosphonium group,

per 100 g dry starting clay: C, 13.62; H, 1.83; P, 2.34; Found: C, 12.02; H, 2.19; P, 2.25; Cl, 0.07.1nterplanar spacing of 001 Reflection by X-Ray: 15.7A.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of Tetraethyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite Clay To a stirred aqueous suspension of 22.2 g sodium montmorillonite (MCBP) a 5% aqueous solution of 3.65 g (0.02) tetraethyl phosphonium chloride was added at 50C so as to obtain a reaction mixture having a 2% concentration of the starting clays. A thickening of the mixture occurred within a few minutes rather than seconds after the addition. After 30 minutes stirring the product was isolated as usual.

Using a 1% aqueous suspension of sodium hectorite, tetraethyl phosphonium hectorite was prepared in a similar manner.

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation of Tetrabutyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite To a stirred aqueous suspension of 60 g refined sodium montmorillonite (MCBP) at 50C, a 10% aqueous solution of 15.93 g (0.054 mole) of tetra-n-butyl phosphonium chloride was added all at once to yield a reaction mixture of 2% starting clay concentration. On mixing an immediate thickening and then in a few minutes the formation of large coarse tetrabutyl phosphonium clay particles occurred. After 30 minutes stirring, the product was isolated in the usual manner.

Elemental analysis: Calculated for 99 me (C H P group per 100 g dry clay: C, 15.42; H, 2.91; P, 2.49. Found: C, 13.24; H, 3.06; P, 2.09.

The same product was prepared in a similar manner, starting with 60 g clay and 20.43 g (0.054 mole) of tetrabutyl phosphonium acetate-acetic acid adduct, [(n-C H ),,P ]CH CO "CH CO H.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of Tetraethyl Phosphonium Zeolite Equal weights of a Linde N Y molecular sieve zeolite of formula 0.09.10.02 N21 O'Al O -wSiO H O; w 3-8, y 9 and tetraethyl phosphonium chloride were reacted in water medium for 16 hours at room temperature. By filtration and subsequent drying, a tetraethyl phosphonium zeolite clay was obtained in which 5% of the sodium cations are substituted by tetraethyl phosphonium cations.

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of Decosyl Trimethyl Phosphonium Laponite XLG Synthetic Clay Laponite XLG from Pfizer is a pure fluorine free synthetic inorganic clay. It is prepared by the removal of electrolyte impurities from Laponite CP which was described by B. S. Neumann and K. G. Sansom in the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists in Volume 21, pages 237 to 258 in 1970. Its formula is [Si Mg Li H O ]"-l la lts cation exchange capacity, as

milliequiv- A clear, viscous colloidal suspension of 25 g Laponite XLG in 700 ml of 2 to 1 water-isopropanol mixture was 22 at 50C, a 10% solution of 9.13 g (0.0197 mole) of docosyl triehtyl phosphonium chloride in the same solvent medium was added at a fast rate. An immediate reaction was indicated by the turn of the mixture to a prepared by stirring for 1 hour at 50C. Then a 45C white suspension. However, there was no great change solution of 8.4 g (0.02 m) of docosyl trimethyl phosin the viscosity of the mixture at any time during the phonium chloride in 940 ml of the same solvent mixreaction. After 30 minutes stirring at 50C, the viscous ture was added to it fast at 50C while stirring. On mixture was filtered with suction with difficulty. The addition, a moderate degree of further thickening of white, solid product was then washed and dried in the the mixture occurred. This thickening disappeared in a usual manner. few minutes and small particles of the white product Elemental analysis: Calculated for 100 milliequivaappeared. After 30 minutes stirring, the phosphonium lent C H P (C H per 100 g clay: C,23.94; H,4.3l; laponite product was isolated and dried in the usual P,- 2.21. Found: C, 24.28; H, 4.25; P, 2.27; Cl, 0.33. manner.

Elemental analysis: Calculated for 79 me I EXAMPLE l8 C H P (C H group per 100 gstarting laponite clay: Preparation of 4-Vinylbenzyl Triethyl Phosphonium C, 18.62; H, 3.38; P, 1.92. Found: C, 19.92; H, 4.10; P, Kaolinite 1.98; Cl 0.02. The kaolinite used in this reaction is Georgia Kaolin A experiment i docosyl Companys Hydrite 10, a hydrated aluminum silicate i i .phosphomum chlonde. usmg at the 100 mined in the State of Georgia. It is a white china clay mlhequwalent 100 g laPomte .treatment level to processed by fractional centrifugation to have a median produce organ,lc lay having a hlgher percentage of particle size of 0.55 microns. A 20% aqueous slurry of phosphomum i this clay has a pH of 4.2 to 5.2. A 70% slurry has a 1 3 i gg gg fi g g l g; 100 salt r Brookfield viscosity of 430 centipoise at 10 rpm. Its oil g c Found 2351 adsorption is 42% by the Garden Colman technique. 4' Elemental composition, A1 0 38.38; SiO (com- EXAMPLE 1 bined), 45.30; H O (combined, ignition loss at 950C), Preparation of Docosyl Triethyl Phosphonium kgg gf Lapomte XLG Synthenc clay As a dispersant for the hydrite in water, either so- A colloidal suspension of 24.9 g Laponite XLG in dium hexametaphosphate (Calgon) and sodium car- 1120 ml 20% isopropanolic water was prepared in 75 bonate from Mill Chem (MC) or ethylenediamine minutes stirring at 50. To the suspension a 10% solu- (EDA) was used. The general procedure for the kaolin tion of 913g (0.0197 mole) of docosyl triethyl phosdispersion and reaction with the phosphonium salt was phonium chloride in the same medium was added at a the following. fast rate. The addition resulted in a stronger gel. How- Using an Osterizer, high speed mixer 300 ml water ever, during continued stirring for 30 minutes, the viswas blended with the proper amounts of one of the cosity decreased. This mixture was then filtered by above dispersants. Then with continued stirring, 250 g suction at a slow rate because of its gel-like character. Hydrite 10 'was added. After the addition, stirring was After the usual washing, the white solid product was continued at a high speed for 5 minutes. The resulting isolated by drying in vacuo. kaolin dispersion was transferred into a beaker, using Elemental analysis: Calculated for 79 me distilled water to wash the Osterizer and to dilute the C H P (C H per 100 g laponite: C,.20.l3; H, 3.62; dispersion to a 10-15% solids in water level. The con- P, 1.86.,Found: C, 21.51; H, 4.18; P, 1.98. 45 tents of the beaker were then mixed with a mechanical stirrer for 3-5 minutes and checked for pH and disper- EXAMPLE sionquality'. The pH of the Calgon dispersion was 6.0 Preparation of Docosyl Triethyl Phosphonium while that of the EDA dispersions was 9.8.

Laponite B Synthetic Clay To the above dispersion, either 3.125 g (1.25% salt, Laponite B from Pfizer is a synthetic clay closely 05% phosphonls) or g salt 1 approximately the chemical composition of natural phosPhows) of 4'vmylbicnzyl m phosphomum Hectorite- Its percentage composition is: sioz -9; chloride salt was added with stirring. Stirr ng was con- Mgo 26]; M20, 19; F, 8.3; Nazo 43; F6203 0'04; tmued for several minutes and the pH monitored. Then cao, 010; S03, 005; C 2, 2 (Structural), the mixture was either kept at r oom temperature for 10 3.60. Its cation exchange capacity is in the ra nge of 55 minutes or l hinted to 65 and held therefor 10 to no me per 00 m nutes \{Vhllfi stirring. The solids were then filtered To a hazy, 'viscous colloidal suspension of 19.7 g wlth Suctlon and dned at l0 to provide the Laponite B in 872 ml 20% isopropanol in water mixture products T l of the pfepalanons earned out under varying conditions are given in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII PREPARATION OF VINYLBENZYL TRIETHYL PHOSPHONIUM KAOLINITE (HYDRITE l0) Acidity of Dispersant, Phosphonium Chloride Reaction Templ, Phosphorus in 0 Reaction Seq. No. MC EDA Reactant, C Product,%"" Mixture, pH

1 yes 1.25 -25 0.14 5.65 2 yes 2.50 -25 0.16 5.65 3 yes 1.25 -65 0.15 4.9 4 yes 1.25 -25 0.09 9.6

TABLE VIII-continued PREPARATION OF VINYLBENZYL TRIETHYL PHOSPHONIUM KAOLINITE (HYDRITE l) Acidit of Dispersant, Phosphonium Chloride Reaction Temp., Phosphorus in Reaction Seq. No. MC EDA Reactant, C Product,%" Mixture, pH

yes 1.25 -65 0.09 8.6 6 yes 2.50 -65 0.10 8.5

""One to two mixture of Calgon and sodium carbonate from Mill Chem. "'Ethylenediamine.

The results show that using 0.15% phosphorus in the form of the phosphonium salt reactant, a complete reaction occurs with the Calgon dispersed aqueous kaolinite independent of the reaction temperature. Doubling the amount of phosphonium reactant does not increase the 0.15% phosphorus content of the product. Using ethylenediamine instead of Calgon reduces the phosphorus content to about 0.1% regardless of the reactant ratio and reaction temperature and the basicity of the reaction mixture.

THE METHODS USED TO DETERMINE GELLING ABILITY All the gel test methods give somewhat different results if organic clays of various particle size are used. Therefore, the dry, ball milled clays were all passed through a 200 mesh screen before testing.

The Styrene Swelling Test A two gram organic clay sample was slowly added using a spatula to 100 ml polymerization grade styrene. The styrene was contained in a 100 ml measuring cylinder of about 2.5 cm diameter. On the addition of the clay gelling agents, a spontaneous gelling occurred. The resulting gel volume of the clays was severalfold of the original by the time they fell to the bottom of the cylinder. The volume of the resulting bottom gel phase was read after 15 minutes, 2 hours and 24 hours.

The Toluene Gel Strength Test To 294 g toluene placed into a Waring blender, 6g of tetraalkyl phosphonium clay is added in 45 seconds while it is stirred at a rate of about 10,000 rpm (transformer setting 25). The resulting mixture is then stirred at 15,000 rpm for 90 seconds (Transformer setting 100). The stirring rate is then reduced to 13,000 and 2.3 ml polar additive, consisting of 95% commercial (i.e. 99%) methanol and 5% distilled water is added over 30 seconds. The speed is then again increased to 15,000 rpm and the stirring continued for a further 3 minutes.

The gel is then poured into a pint jar which is subsequently rocked and swirled for 30 seconds to remove most of the air bubbles. The jar is then capped tight and put into a 25C water bath. After fifteen minutes and 24 hours, viscosity readings are taken using a Brookfield viscometer with a number three spindle. The spindle is inserted to the near side of the jar and then moved to the center. Then viscosity readings are taken from low to high stirring rates: at rpm after 40 seconds at this speed, at 20 rpm after 30 seconds, at 50 rpm after 20 seconds and at 100 rpm after seconds. After the viscosity readings, the temperature in the rear side ofjar is usually about 30C and at the center 35C.

After the 10 minute reading, the jar is capped and set in a 25C water bath until the 24 hour reading.

The Alkyd Resin Gel Test Alkyd resins are in general, polyesters derived from fatty acids, polyols such glycerol or glycol, and dicarboxylic acids, usually phthalic anhydride. The resins used in the present tests were long oil alkyd resins, which are most commonly used for general purpose industrial coatings. They were obtained from Reichhold Chemical under the name Beckosol P-296- with a computer code number 10-045. The product contains 30% mineral spirits as a solvent. The solid resin (70%) is derived using about 65% soybean oil, 24% phthalic anhydride and 1 1% glycerol. As such, the product meets federal specification, classification TTR 2660A, Type Class A, vinyl compatible. Its Gardner-Holdt viscosity is Y-Z The viscosity of the products supplied was apparently significantly different on the Brookfield scale.

In the test procedure, 1.25 g of organic clay is slowly added to 88 g resin, while stirring it with a high speed, i.e. high shear mixer (with a drill press equipped with a circular Cowles blade). After mixing for about 2 to 5 minutes, a polar solvent mixture consisting of propylene carbonate and 5% water is added in an amount equalling 33% of the clay while stirring to give optimum dispersion and highest viscosity. Thereafter, stirring is continued for an additional 5 minutes. The resulting gel is then thinned using a solvent, i.e. 10 g odorless mineral spirit, to reduce the viscosity. Viscosity measurements of the resulting mixtures are made in 18 to 24 hours after the air bubbles formed during the stirring rose out of the liquid gels.

In the alkyd resin gel tests, three batches of Beckosol P-296-70 were used. Their viscosity characteristics, as determined by the Brookfield viscosimeter, were somewhat different as indicated by the following tabulation:

Brookfield Viscosities, cps of Long Oil Alkyd Resins After 18-24 Hours (at Various Stirring Rates, rpm) Batch Identification of Resin Beckosol P-296-70 (10) (20) (50) A 2800 3000 3120 3200 B 2000 2200 2400 2400 C 2400 2500 2640 2620 25 montmorillonite, basically the same clay which was used in our Examples 3-1 1. The Bentone 38 standard is manufactured by N. L. Industries from refined sodium hectorite, a clay similar to the one used in Example I.

26 served. The behavior of the docosyl trimethyl and triethyl phosphonium derivatives (Seq. Nos. 3 and 7) was similar. However, the viscosity of the trimethyl phosphonium gel increased with time while that of the tri- The effectiveness of these two ammonium clays in the ethyl derivative decreased.

TABLE IX I STYRENE SWELLING TOLUENE AND ALKYD RESIN GELLING EFFICIENCY OF HIGHER MONOALKYL TRIMETHYL AND TRIETHYL PHOSPHONIUM MONTMORILLONITES Styrene Brookfield Viscosities. cps. At Various Stirring Rates (rpm) Batch Structure Swell 2% Solids in Toluene 1.4% Solids in Akyd Resin of Seq. of Quaternary M After I5 Mins. After 24 Hrs. After 18-24 I-Irs. Alkyd No. Cation on Clay 2Hr 24Hr (I0) (20) (50) (I00) (50) (I00) (I0) (20) (50) (I00) Used 1 [(CH3)3P+CHH23] 42 l9 l0 10 Gel Unstable 2600 2600 2880 2860 A 2 [(CH,) P C H 28 28 4000 4400 4240 4040 A 3 [(CH,,),,P"C ,I-I 31 I320 740 304 152 I600 720 304 176 7600 7000 5680 5640 A 4 [(C,H P C1,H5I 20 20 392 I88 77 50 I78 90 43 31 7200 6200 5440 5040 A 5 [(C I-I,,) P*C H 29 28 1968 900 387 I79 I416 672 298 204 9600 8000 6640 6060 A 6 [(C H5)a C H 1l 30 29 I816 880 326 l7l I344 672 288 I57 10,000 8000 6960 6l60 A 7 [(C H,) P C H 26 24 I320 612 251 I26 784 428 210 I16 5200 4800 4320 4140 A three batches of alk d resins was as shown b the f ly y EXAMPLE 20 lowing tabulation:

Gelling Effectiveness of Higher Monoalkyl Trimethyl and Triethyl Phosphonium Montmorillonites The swelling of styrene and the gelling of toluene and a long oil alkyd resin (C) by the quaternary higher monoalkyl phosphonium clays of Example 3, Table III was studied in routine laboratory tests. The results obtained are shown in Table IX.

Overall, the data show that these mono- C alkyl phosphonium clays are effective gelling agents. The styrene swelling showed no definite correlation with the length of the higher n-alkyl group. The toluene and alkyd resin gelling seemed to be at a maximum in the C1448 alkyl range (Seq. Nos. 5 and 6). In the case of the dodecyl triethyl phosphonium clay (Seq. No. 4), a good alkyl resin gelling but poor toluene gelling was ob- Gelling Effectiveness of I-Iigner Monoalkyl Tributy Phosphonium Montmorillonites EXAMPLE 21 Gelling Effectiveness of Docosyl Lower Tri-Alkyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite Clays The docosyl tri-C -alkyl phosphonium clays of Example 5, Table XI were evaluated for their gelling efficiency in routine tests. The results are shown in Table XI.

The data show that the docosyl lower trialkyl compounds are all gellants. Their swelling in styrene increases as the lower trialkyl groups increase from trimethyl to tributyl (from Seq. No. l to 5). The same trend is observed with regard to their efficiency in gelling a long oil alkyl resin. The trimethylcompound has little effect in gelling the alkyd (Seq. No. I).

TABLE X l( 4 9)3 l Clay; m=I2-l8 Brookfield Viscosities, cps, At Various Stirring Rates, (rpm) Styrene Structure of Swell 2% Solids in Toluene Batch 1.4% Solids in Alkyd Resin of Seq. Quaternary Cation Ml. After 15 Mins. After 24 Hrs. After 18-24 Hrs. Alkyd No. on Clay 2Hr 24Hr (I0) (20) (50) (I00) (I0) (20) (50) (100) (I0) (20) (50) (I00) Used 1 [(n-C H -,P*C, H,,] 30 30 440 I96 80 43 240 I20 46 I9 7600 6800 6000 5440 A 2 [(n-C H9):iP*C H 32 32 416 I84 77 42 I84 76 38 I7 14000 8400 7200 A I000 3 [(i-C H,);,P C H H20 580 I72 84 840 430 I72 94 5200 4800 4560 4300 C 4 [(i-C H ),P*C, H, 680 260 |04 440 220 104 64 5800 5500 4960 4560 C 5 [(i-C H,);,P C H I 760 360 I36 74 660 320 152 88 5000 4700 4480 4200 C 6 l(i-C H,);, C,,,H 35 34 I200 I76 96 496 248 I28 68 5200 4700 4200 3800 B TABLE XI STYRENE SWELLING. TOLUENE AND ALKYD RESIN GELLING EFFICIENCY OF DOCOSYL LOWER TRIALKYL PHOSPHONIUM MONTMORILLONITES l( zn+|).-| z 4tl y;

Stucture of Styrene Brookfield Viscosities, cps. At Various Stirring Rates, (rpm) Batch Quaternary Swell 2 Solids in Toluene 1.4% Solids in Alkyd Resin of Seq. Cation Ml. After 15 Mins. After 24 Hrs. After 18-24 Hrs. Alkyd No. on Clay 2Hr 24Hr (I) (20) (50) (I00) (50) (I00) (10) (20) (50) (100) Used I [(CH P C H .-,l 30 232 92 42 29 352 I64 83 62 4400 4300 4300 4500 A 2 [(C H,,) P*C ,H 32 32 720 560 208 I04 I000 560 208 104 7600 7000 5840 5680 A 3 41 760 340 I33 70 272 I44 70 7600 7000 6400 6040 A q 1):1 22 4sl 4 I- 44 42 600 268 I I4 66 592 292 I34 76 1)= z= 45l 4 [(n- 47 47 224 I00 54 34 256 I24 64 35 14000 11000 8720 7360 A 4 a)a 2z 4sl below 200 c 5. However, some of the roducts were EXAMPLE 22 p p Gelling Effectiveness of Higher Dialkyl Dimethyl and 20 Diethyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite Clays effective in gelling a long oil alkyd resin as shown by Table XIII.

The reslts clearly demonstrate the superior gellant effectiveness of the methyl and ethyl trioctyl phosphonium clays in an alkyd resin among the quaternary higher trialkyl phosphonium clays tested. (Seq. Nos. 2 and 3). The gellant effectiveness of the trioctyl group is rapidly decreased as the chain length of the fourth alkyl group is increased beyond two carbons (Seq. Nos. 3 versus 4 and 5). As the chain length of the fourth alkyl group is increased beyond four carbons, quaternary trioctyl phosphonium clays possess no gellant capacity in the alkyd resin. (Seq. Nos. 6 and 7). Similarly, the

TABLE XII STYRENE SWELLING, TOLUENE AND ALKYD RESIN GELLING EFFICIENCY OF HIGHER DIALKYL DIMETHYL AND DIETHYL PHOSPHONIUM MONTMORILLONITES r 2r4-l)2 2 )0l 3i |=8-l 8 Styrene Brookfield Viscosities, cps. At Various Stirring Rates (rpm) Batch Structure of Swell, ml 2 Solids in Toluene 1.4% Solids in Alkyd Resin of Seq. Quaternary Cation (After Hrs) After l5 Mins. After 24 Hrs. After l8-24 Hrs. Alkyd No. on Clay (2) (24) (I0) (20) (I00) (10) (20) (50) (I00) (I0) (20) (50) (I00) Used I [(CI'I );P*(C H 23 23 232 I00 45 25 Gel Unstable 7600 6800 5680 5600 A 2 l(CH ),P"(C H, l9 I9 328 I52 64 37 I 96 27 I4 l2000 9600 7760 6840 A 3 icH, ,P (c,,H,,. 23 23 56 26 24 Gel Unstable [I600 10000 8320 7300 A 2 4 [(C,H ),P (C ,H 30 30 240 208 91 52 Gel Unstable 9600 8000 6880 6440 A benzyltrioctyl clay product is not an alkyd gellant ei- EXAMPLE 23 ther (Seq. No. 8).

Gelling Efficiency in Alkyd Resin of Quaternary Higher Trialkyl Phosphonium Montmorillonite Clays Another surprising finding is the rapid decrease in gelling capacity when the trialkyl group is decreased to six carbons or increased to ten carbons per chain. Both the methyl trihexyl and methyl tridecyl phosphonium clays are significantly less effective alkyd gellant than efficiencies in the previously described routine tests. 55 the col-responding methyl triocty] quaternary clay deri- All the clays of this group were found ineffective gellants for toluene. The observed toluene viscosities were vates (Seq. Nos. 4 and 7 versus 2).

TABLE XIII GEL STRENGTH IN AN ALKYD RESIN OF QUATERNARY HIGHER TRI-C -ALKYL PHOSPHONIUM MONTMORILLONITE CLAYS l( .l 2.l+l)3 k 2k+|] (flax/T; 0-10: l i-a Brookfreld Viscosities, cps. After l8-24 Hrs.

TABLE XIII-continued GEL STRENGTH IN AN ALKYD RESIN OF QUATERNARY HIGHER TRl-C -ALKYL PHOSPHONIUM MONTMORlLLONlTE CLAYS J al+|)a k 2k+il Clair: J 8- z k a Brookfield Visgosities, cps. After 18-24 Hrs.

Seq. Structure of of Alkyd Resin Containing l.4% Clay Solids No. Quaternary Cation (at Various Stirring Rates rpm) 7 H l1)Z| B 13] 2400 2500 2640 2620 3 l(C H, P CH 1 2600 2700 2880 2920 9 [(C H P CH;,] 3600 3200 3120 2840 [R' P R ,Clay' The adverse effect of increasing the carbon number of the fourth alkyl substituent of quaternary trioctyl phosphonium clays is especially interesting since this structural change of the phosphonium groups does not affect the interplanar distance of their clay derivatives. It is proposed that in the case of these and similar higher trialkyl phosphonium clays the decreased gelling efficiency is due to increased steric crowding, which inhibits the polar interactions involved in the gelling process. The way steric factors may play a role is indicated by the proposed position of the hexyl trioctyl phosphonium group in the interplanar space. As shown in Example 7, FIG. 1, the hexyl group is oriented parallel to the surface and as such its dimensions will influence the degree of the polar interactions of polar additives or polar fluids to be gelled with the phosphonium and silicate groups. Once such polar interactions are completely blocked, no gelling will occur.

What is claimed is:

1. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of layer and chain type structure.

2. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of layer type structure.

3. The compositions of claim 2 wherein said layer type clay is a montmorillonite.

4. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula [RP+] Clay wherein R is a C to C) aliphatic hydrocarbyl group, and the clay is a negatively charged aluminosilicate of layer and chain type structure.

5. The compositions of claim 4 wherein R is a C to C hydrocarbyl group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl groups.

6. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium montmorillonite of the formula [R P Clay wherein R is a C to C aliphatic hydrocarbyl group.

7. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium montmorillonite according to claim 6 wherein R is C to C alkyl.

8. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula wherein R and R" are C to C10) aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups selected from the group consisting of C to C low aliphatic groups and C to C high aliphatic groups in such a manner that if R is low, R" should be high and the reverse; Clay is a negatively charged layered aluminosilicate of layer type structure.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein the high aliphatic groups equal C to C alkyl and the low C to C aliphatic groups are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl.

10. The composition of claim 8 wherein Clay is a negatively charged montmorillonite.

ll. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula R',P+R", Clay wherein R and R are C to C aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups selected from the group consisting of C to C low aliphatic groups and C to C high aliphatic groups in such a manner that if R is low, R" should be high and the reverse; Clay is a negatively charged layered aluminosilicate.

12. The composition of claim 11 wherein R' is C to C alkyl and R" is C and C alkyl.

13. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula m 2m+l n 2n+I).'I] clalr wherein m'and n are l to 40 and Clay is a negatively charged layered aluminosilicate.

14. The composition of claim 13 wherein m is 12 to 40 and n is l to 7.

l5. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula Clay- Montmorillonite' 

1. TETRA-ALKYL PHOSPHONIUM CLAYS OF LAYER AND CHAIN TYPE STRUCTURE.
 2. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of layer type structure.
 3. The compositions of claim 2 wherein said layer type clay is a montmorillonite.
 4. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula (R4P ) Clay wherein R is a C1 to C100 aliphatic hydrocarbyl group, and the clay is a negatively charged aluminosilicate of layer and chain type structure.
 5. The compositions of claim 4 wherein R is a C1 to C100 hydrocarbyl group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl groups.
 6. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium montmorillonite of the formula (R4P ) Clay wherein R is a C1 to C100 aliphatic hydrocarbyl group.
 7. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium montmorillonite according to claim 6 wherein R is C1 to C40 alkyl.
 8. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula (R''3P R'''') Clay wherein R'' and R'''' are C1 to C100 aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups selected from the group consisting of C1 to C7 low aliphatic groups and C8 to C100 high aliphatic groups in such a manner that if R'' is low, R'''' should be high and the reverse; Clay is a negatively charged layered aluminosilicate of layer type structure.
 9. The composition of claim 8 wherein the high aliphatic groups equal C8 to C40 alkyl and the low C1 to C7 aliphatic groups are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl.
 10. The composition of claim 8 wherein Clay is a negatively charged montmorillonite.
 11. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula (R''2P R''''2) Clay wherein R'' and R'''' are C1 to C100 aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups selected from the group consisting of C1 to C7 low aliphatic groups and C8 to C100 high aliphatic groups in such a manner that if R'' is low, R'''' should be high and the reverse; Clay is a negatively charged layered aluminosilicate.
 12. The composition of claim 11 wherein R'' is C9 to C16 alkyl and R'''' is C1 and C2 alkyl.
 13. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula (CmH2m 1P (CnH2n 1)3) Clay wherein m and n are 1 to 40 and Clay is a negatively charged layered aluminosilicate.
 14. The composition of claim 13 wherein m is 12 to 40 and n is 1 to
 7. 15. Tetra-alkyl phosphonium clays of the formula
 16. A tetra-alkyl phosphonium clay composition of the formula (n - C18H37P (C2H5)3) Montmorillonite 